New Year’s academic resolutions? Achieve them with our training programmes in 2025
Published 9 January 2025
Stop procrastinating. Start exercising. Get organised. You know the drill…. The academic choices you make this year are yours, and they have the potential to shape your future in significant ways. So stay ahead in your studies and career with our 2025 training programmes! Join us in The Hague, City of Peace and Justice, to embark on a journey of professional growth, knowledge enhancement and building lifelong networks in critical fields like counterterrorism, disarmament, corporate sustainability, and more. Ready to take the next step? Discover our upcoming programmes and enrol today.
[Spring academy] Explore the digitalisation of sustainability due diligence (07 - 10 April 2025)
As large European companies face legal requirements to carry out sustainability due diligence, the question of how this new form of transnational governance is implemented has become more critical than ever. Many organisations are turning to digital solutions like AI, blockchain, data mining, and survey tools to embed sustainability into their operations and mitigate risks of adverse human rights or environmental impacts.
This innovative training programme combines theory and practice to provide a deep understanding of key technological solutions for sustainable due diligence. Through lectures and workshops by both academics and industry experts, you will be empowered to drive responsible business practices. Read more.
Key topics
- Foundations of digitalised due diligence
- Digital tools for mapping and tracing value chains
- Risk identification and evaluation with AI
- Stakeholder engagement amidst digitalisation
Target audience
- Professionals
- Researchers
- and others interested in leveraging digitalisation to address global challenges ethically and sustainably
Fee: €1495 (Regular fee), €750 (Students/NGO fee), €495 (Single-day fee)
[Spring academy] International law and the governance of AI-driven military technologies (final dates to be confirmed)
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising military operations, driving the development of autonomous weapons systems (AWS), decision-support tools (AI-DSS), and other advanced warfare technologies. While these innovations advance at a rapid pace and AI offers significant promise for military operations, they also pose substantial risks, particularly with regard to compliance with international law.
This timely training programme will provide you with a deep understanding of military applications of AI, including the key features of these technologies, their
risks and benefits, and relevant governance regimes in international law. Whether you are a policymaker, legal advisor, or diplomat, all participants will be equipped with the necessary knowledge to advance the governance and development of military AI. Read more.
Key topics
- Recent developments in AI in the military domain
- AI-related concepts
- International law regimes governing AI-driven military technologies
- Military AI and state responsibility
Target audience
- Policymakers
- Legal advisors
- Diplomats
- Other individuals involved or interested in the development, use, governance and adjudication of AI-enabled military technologies
[Summer programme] International criminal law and international legal & comparative approaches to counter-terrorism (May-June 2025)
Dive into the fascinating world of international criminal law this summer during the 19th annual summer law programme on international criminal law and international legal & comparative approaches to counter-terrorism, co-organised with the War Crimes Research Office of American University’s Washington College of Law. This unique, month-long programme welcomes ambitious law students and early-career professionals, both from top US institutions and beyond. Read more.
Key topics
- The legal framework surrounding war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide
- Legal challenges and ethical considerations in counterterrorism efforts
- Current issues and debates in international criminal law and counter-terrorism
Target audience
- Law students
- Early-career professionals
[Advanced summer programme] Terrorism, counter-terrorism and the rule of law (August 2025)
“Terrorism represents the denial and destruction of human rights. And so the fight against it will never succeed if we perpetuate the same denial and destruction. In fact, human rights can be the greatest weapon we have in fighting terrorism. Evidence shows that counter-terrorism efforts that are solely security-focused rather than human-rights based can inadvertently increase marginalization and exclusion, thereby perpetuating the same conditions that can lead to terrorism in the first place.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 19 June 2023.
In August 2025, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut and the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) will host the 15th Advanced summer programme on terrorism, counter-terrorism and the rule of law. In this thought-provoking summer training programme you will focus on the international and domestic legal aspects of countering terrorism and violent extremism, in inspiring and interactive classes by leading academics and practitioners in the field. Read more.
Key topics
- Latest trends in counterterrorism laws and policies
- Understanding extremism, radicalisation and tools for early prevention
- Regional counterterrorism cases and approaches
- And more
Target audience
- Practitioners
- Diplomats
- Academics
- Civil servants
- Policymakers
- PhD candidates and advanced students
- Security services
- People working for NGOs
- National and international experts
[Training programme] Disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD (October 2025)
The global non-proliferation norms regarding the use and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are under pressure. The threat posed by nuclear, chemical and biological weapons has reached levels of urgency not seen since the Cold War. Consequently, there is a growing demand for professionals with the necessary legal, technical and policy expertise to tackle the challenges of today’s non-proliferation and disarmament agenda. Equip yourself with this necessary knowledge in the sixteenth training programme on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, co-organised with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
During this intensive one-week programme, you will receive a comprehensive overview of the international non-proliferation and disarmament framework, learn from renowned experts and practitioners, and engage in active discussions about key topics and current debates. Read more.
Key topics
- Chemical, nuclear, and biological weapons
- Arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament agreements
- Export controls and verification mechanisms
- Diplomatic, legal and technical aspects of disarmament and non-proliferation
- Geopolitical developments
- Emerging technologies
- The work of key professionals in the area of WMD
Target audience
- Early-to mid-career professionals
- Civil servants and policymakers in relevant fields
- Individuals in NGOs, think tanks and research centres
- Diplomats
Scholarships: For this programme, a limited number of scholarships are being offered by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OPCW (further details to be announced).
Make sure to secure a spot in our 2025 training programmes to gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Pre-register now and embark on a rewarding journey of professional growth.
After successful completion of these programmes, you will receive a professional certificate from the T.M.C. Asser Instituut.
If you have any questions about the content of these courses, please send an email to educationtraining@asser.nl. We will respond within two working days.
Don't miss out on this transformative experience! Come study in The Hague, city of Peace and Justice.